Holiday steelhead landed on the Salmon River in Pulaski NY

Salmon River Pulaski NY Steelhead Drift Boat Guide Spin Fly Fishing Report Update:

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Ol'man Winter has arrived with snow and colder temp's. If your coming up to fish or are thinking of coming up to fish this Winter, this complementary article may help you to prepare, be more comfortable, have fun, be safe and hopefully help to make your trip here memorable in many ways.

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Fishing in Jan. and Feb.? Are you Nuts? -Yup:

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Here are some things to consider when fishing here in the winter. The Salmon River is a dam-released river, so it never totally freezes over.

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Slush - Planning your fishing day around it:

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No it's not the stuff you put in a cone and eat but rather a winter occurrence that causes certain area's of the river to be unfishable.

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(For all Photo's, please see profile - linked to Fishing Report page)

Nice looking Female Steelhead. Super!

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Knowing current water -air temp. current water and future water flow level's, tonight's predicted lows with tomorrow's highs will help you decide where to begin your day of fishing.

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Sample:

Water temps. are 34 deg. up top and the flow is 285 cfs. Evening lows are swinging around 5 deg. and daytime highs are around 32 deg. (No heavy snow is forecast) The Key here is the nighttime low. Normally if the low is below 20 deg. you will have slush from Pineville down. If the low is only 20 deg. then you may not have any slush the entire length of the river.

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When slush is present at these air temp's then normally by 10-11 A.M. the lower part of the river will clear out and make fishing possible. If you're ever not sure, than do what I sometimes do and go to the short bridge in town and have a look for yourself, before planning your day. If air temp's do not rise above 20 for the daytime high then you may have slush down river all day.

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(Photo)

Nice colored up Male Steelhead. Notice the bump on the lower jaw. Also the red rosy cheeks and red stripe down its side. What a beauty!

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If I'm planning to start my fishing at dawn, then I'll start up top. And then later possibly move down river once the slush has had a chance to clear. If certain areas of the river are slushed up and you are the first to arrive after it has cleared than the chances of hooking-up are good. You will be the first angler fishing to fresh fish that have not been disturbed or pressured.

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This same condition occurs on the smaller creeks around the Salmon River in early-late winter. Many an early A.M. trip North has ended with a return trip when slush was not considered. I will always check air temp's the day before I plan fishing the creeks. Often, I will arrive at 10 A.M. and fish while the last balance of slush is clearing and getting first shot at the prime spots. Fish-on!

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If you wanted to fish during the prime time during the winter than here are a few things I would consider. (Work and family schedule must be flexible)

1. 3 day warming trend. If there is run-off expect fresh fish in the lower end!

2. Drop in water level or rise.

3. Fish around a holiday, not on it.

4. Mid-week

5. Springtime creeks and streams- Wait till ice out and fish them on the rise or fall of water levels. If you fish them after they have cleared for to long they tend to get fished out. If you can find your honey hole when the water is up, then the fish will be there.

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(Photo)

Another Male steelhead. Congrats!

Done